Five Healthy Christmas Dinner Party Recipes

Thanks to our resident Nutritionist and GoodnessMe Box Health Editor Melissa Fine, we’ve got Christmas dinner sorted! The holidays don’t have to be an unhealthy time of the year when there are wholesome, delicious dishes like these. Enjoy!

1) Rocket & Pomegranate Jewel Salad

Serves 4-6 as an entrée or side salad.
This is super easy, looks festive and always impresses.

Ingredients:

1/3 Cup pomegranate arils (I buy them already separated from the supermarket; A lot of fruit shops and juice bars will separate them for you)

½ a block goats cheese (or sub with feta), cut into chunky cubes

2-3 Tablespoon olive oil

balsamic glaze

Method:

Combine all ingredients in the order listed in a large serving bowl, excluding olive oil and balsamic. Just before serving, top with olive oil and a drizzle of balsamic glaze to your liking. Toss well and dig in!

Ingredients:

Method:

Lightly toast sesame seeds in a pan on medium heat until lightly brown and fragrant; This can be done without any oil. Set the toasted seeds aside and spread them out on a dinner plate.

Brush tuna steaks with olive oil and then dip them into the sesame seeds, lightly coating each side. Season coated tuna with sea salt and cracked pepper.

Heat remaining olive oil (about 3 TBS) on full heat in a large pan. Place tuna steaks in the pan, and let sit for about 2 minutes, or until the side facing down is cooked to your liking. Flip steaks onto the other side and cook for another minute or so, depending on how rare you like your tuna; I like mine medium-rare, so I don't sear it for very long.

3) Coco-Nutty Quinoa

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoon coconut butter (This is different to coconut oil; It’s made from coconut flesh so is super creamy and high in fibre; Find it at health food stores)

pinch salt

Method:

Combine quinoa, water and salt in a medium pot; Bring to the boil, then reduce to simmer.

Cover with a lid, stirring the quinoa a few times so it doesn’t stick to the bottom of the pot. It should take 15-20 mins for all the water to absorb and for the quinoa to be cooked through.

Once ready, remove from heat, fluff with a fork and stir through coconut butter, which will melt through the quinoa beautifully.

4) Watermelon Salad with Mango, Passionfruit and Chia Jam

This just screams summer! I love the nice crunch the chia adds to this dish: Simply cut the flesh of 1 watermelon into chunks, place on a platter and top with a generous drizzle of Henry Jones & Co Mango, Passionfruit & Chia Seeds (from Woolies).

5) Banana-Chia Pudding w Tropical ‘Coulis’

Serves 4. (Can easily be doubled or tripled)
A great dessert for health conscious guests who still want something sweet after Christmas dinner. Tell them it’s high in fibre, vegan and gluten free!